The John Ben Snow Foundation

Transcription

1 The John Ben Snow Foundation Annual Report 2009

2 The John Ben Snow Foundation John Ben Snow THE DONOR John Ben Snow was born and raised in Pulaski, New York, a small village north of Syracuse. He graduated from New York University in 1904 and soon thereafter entered F. W. Woolworth & Company. A man of vision, he was attracted to mass market sales and introduced innovative retailing techniques. He rose rapidly through the ranks from stock boy to corporate director, initially in New York, and finally in Great Britain, where he accumulated a small fortune through hard work, savings and wise investments. After retiring from Woolworth in 1939, Mr. Snow devoted the remainder of his life to building the Speidel chain of newspapers and publishing the Western Horseman. He was fond of animals, especially horses, enjoyed racing, fox hunting, polo and range riding. Throughout his life, John Ben Snow shared his wealth with relatives, friends, business associates and fellow Pulaskians. He gave generously and freely to those persons and causes he cherished. He preferred to invest in people, especially the young, by making available financial assistance. He also believed in improving the quality of life in Pulaski and its environs. To further these and other philanthropic causes, he established The John Ben Snow Foundation in The Foundation continues to operate under the terms of its original charter. The charter, granted by the State of New York, authorizes the Foundation to grant funds for educational and humanitarian purposes to qualified organizations. The present membership of its Board, seven in number, includes persons of diverse occupational backgrounds and geographical areas. The Board meets once a year, usually in June, to approve new grants and review previously funded projects. 2

3 FUNDING POLICIES The John Ben Snow Foundation is a private foundation governed by federal tax law and accordingly disburses funds to tax-exempt organizations approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The geographic focus of the Foundation has primarily been Central and Northern New York State, a policy that reflects the personal wishes of the founder. The mission of the Foundation is to make grants within specific focus areas to enhance the quality of life in Central and Northern New York State. Historically, the Foundation has made grants in the following program areas: Arts and Culture Community Initiatives Education Environment Historic Preservation Journalism The Foundation responds to the ever-changing needs of various segments of the population of Central and Northern New York State, especially to the needs of young people and people who are disadvantaged either physically or economically. It is the Foundation s general policy to give preference to proposals seeking funds for new or enhanced programs, one-time, short-term grants to sustain a program until funding is stabilized, matching grants used to encourage the participation of other donors, and last dollars towards a capital campaign. The Foundation will not accept proposals from individuals or for-profit organizations. Additionally, the Foundation does not encourage proposals from religious organizations or proposals for endowments, contingency funding, or debt reduction. There are no minimums or maximum grant amounts; however, most grants range from $5,000 to $15,000. GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURES The Foundation is pro-active in seeking grant proposals from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. Additionally, the Foundation accepts unsolicited proposals from qualifying organizations. An initial letter of inquiry must be submitted on organization letterhead and received by January 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. The initial letter of inquiry should include the background of the organization, a description of the proposed project detailing the time frame and anticipated outcomes, and a high-level project budget. If the proposal meets the stated guidelines and priorities of the Foundation, a grant application form will be forwarded. All grant applications must be submitted using the Foundation grant application form and must be received by April 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. The following information must also be included with the formal grant application: Executive summary (not to exceed one page) Detailed project budget including itemized expenses and sources of income Listing of the Board of Directors including names and board positions held A copy of the organization s 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS Most recent audited financial statement Organization budget Failure to provide all of the required information will result in the rejection of the grant application. The Foundation may require additional information and possibly an interview or site visit. Any discussions or indications of interest should not be construed as a commitment by the Foundation. All complete grant applications are carefully considered and evaluated by the Foundation. Applicants are notified in writing of the Foundation s decision by July 1st. All approved grant applicants are required to sign and return a Grant Acceptance Agreement prior to any funds being released by the Foundation. The Foundation will periodically consider off-cycle grant proposals for projects whose timing does not fall within the standard grant application cycle. These proposals must be submitted using the Foundation grant application form and must include all supporting documentation as noted above. The funding for these proposals fluctuates yearly based on investment performance as well as prior grant commitments. The grant seeker must contact the Foundation and obtain approval prior to submitting an off-cycle grant proposal. 3

4 REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES Because the Foundation assumes that the grantee has a moral and legal obligation to account for all funds received, each grantee is required to submit a formal report accounting for the expenditures of the grant funds by March 1st of the year after the approval of the grant. This report should include: Executive summary (not to exceed one page) Detailed narrative Financial accounting Relevant attachments All grant reports are reviewed by the Foundation. Any change in plans must be approved by the Foundation. If a grantee fails to submit a formal report, the Foundation reserves the right to request that the grant funds be returned. Additionally, further grants will not be considered until a final report is received. BOARD MEMBERS Jonathan L. Snow, President David H. Snow, Vice President and Treasurer Valerie A. MacFie, Secretary Emelie M. Williams, Assistant Secretary Angus M. Burton Allen R. Malcolm Marilyn R. Melton Marion Hancock Fish, Community Advisor Ann M. Scanlon, Program Officer 4

5 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Year Ending: 31 December 2008 Total Assets: $ 6,015,941 Excise Taxes: $ 3,104 Investment Revenue: $ 365,807 Grants Paid: $ 343,650 GRANTS APPROVED AT THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING *Denotes matching grant ARTS & CULTURE Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc. Syracuse, NY $ 1,000* Summer Jazz Workshops Jazz Fest Productions, Inc. Syracuse, NY $ 4,000 Educational sessions for high school musicians $5,000 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Blessed Sacrament Outreach Program Syracuse, NY $ 3,500 Food pantry facilities upgrade Central Square Library Central Square, NY $ 5,000 Library automation project Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition Cortland, NY.....$ 5,000 Books to Grow On Francis House Syracuse, NY $ 3,500* Basement waterproofing project Metropolitan Development Foundation Syracuse, NY $ 14,000 Prospect Hill Green Workforce Rescue Mission of Syracuse Syracuse, NY $ 15,000 Employment Resource Center expansion Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego Co., Inc. Richland, NY $ 2,000 Equipment for health and fitness program Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area Syracuse, NY $ 50,000 Relocation of Booth House University Health Care Center (Div. of Pediatrics) Syracuse, NY $ 10,000 Family Advocacy Program Williamstown Library Williamstown, NY $ 5,000 Library automation project $113,000 EDUCATION A Better Chance Program, Inc. Manlius, NY $ 2,500 Freshman Orientation On Point for College Syracuse, NY.....$ 25,000 Program for at-risk students to attend college P.E.A.C.E., Inc Syracuse, NY $ 10,000 School based mentoring Big Bros./Big Sisters Pulaski Academy & Central School Pulaski, NY $,800 Incentive Awards Syracuse University, IJPM Syracuse, NY $ 5,000 Support of graduate level certificate program $43,300 5

6 $8,000 ENVIRONMENT Baltimore Woods Marcellus, NY $ 5,000 Baltimore Woods' Market Tune-up $5,000 JOURNALISM Syracuse University - School Press Institute Syracuse, NY.....$ 8,000 Scholarships SPECIAL GRANTS The Foundation Center New York, NY..$ 3,500 Expand programs and services $3,500 YOUTH PROGRAMS Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. Mendon, NY $ 3,000 Day camp program GRAND TOTAL $180,800 6